McConnell’s ‘Radio Silence’ On Kentucky’s Obamacare Exchange

FILE - In this June 18, 2013, photo, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky.. accompanied by Senate Minority Whip John Cornyn of Texas, right, and Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., gestures as he speaks with reporter... FILE - In this June 18, 2013, photo, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky.. accompanied by Senate Minority Whip John Cornyn of Texas, right, and Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., gestures as he speaks with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington. McConnell says the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of conservative groups’ applications for tax-exempt status is just one example of the government attacking free speech on President Barack Obama's watch. He accuses the administration of pitting bureaucrats against the Americans they’re supposed to serve in several other agencies. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) MORE LESS
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We’ve been unpeeling the many layers of mendacity involved with Mitch McConnell trying to say that Kentucky could keep its exchange even if he succeeds in his ultimate goal of repealing Obamacare. The dance he’s doing is obviously a nod toward the success of the state’s own exchange, a success McConnell can’t completely ignore for political reasons. And a success he doesn’t want to stand accused of proposing to eliminate, even though that’s exactly what repeal would do.

But on practical level it’s worth noting, as Dylan Scott does in this report today, that McConnell and his staff have ignored the Kentucky exchange up until now. A top state official tell us there’s been “radio silence” from McConnell throughout the creation and implementation of his state’s exchange.

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